Jeddah to Host FIFA Club World Cup 2023

 21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)
21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)
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Jeddah to Host FIFA Club World Cup 2023

 21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)
21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced on Monday that Jeddah will host the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023.

This follows an official visit made by a FIFA delegation to Jeddah last week to inspect the ongoing preparations to host the tournament, which will be held from December 12 to 22.

SAFF President Yasser Al-Mis'hal said Jeddah is ready to hold this year’s edition of FIFA Club World Cup and to provide an unprecedented experience for players and fans.

The city has a history in organizing major sporting events and boasts a wide range of advanced facilities and a strong infrastructure, he stressed, adding that being chosen to host this championship is testimony to the Kingdom's position and capability to host major international sporting events.

"The sports sector is a fundamental pillar of the continuous transformation process that the Kingdom is witnessing, in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” he remarked.

The sector enjoys unlimited support from the Saudi leadership, he added.

“Saudi Arabia has succeeded in establishing its position as one of the most important and fastest growing sports destinations in the world,” Al-Mis'hal said.

Hosting a tournament of the caliber of the World Cup is opportunity to develop the game locally, take it to new heights, show the true image of the Kingdom, and highlight the hospitality of its people and their great passion for football.

FIFA experts inspected the main infrastructure and stadiums nominated to host the tournament, including King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, as well as several training and accommodation facilities.



City Need Reinforcements after Not Making Summer Signings, Says Guardiola

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v West Ham United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 4, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v West Ham United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 4, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
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City Need Reinforcements after Not Making Summer Signings, Says Guardiola

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v West Ham United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 4, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v West Ham United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 4, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

Manchester City need to invest during the January transfer window due to injury problems and a faltering Premier League campaign, manager Pep Guardiola said on Monday, acknowledging it may have been a mistake to rule out signings in the summer.

City's title defence looks all but over after six league defeats has left them sixth in the standings and 12 points behind leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand.

Guardiola's side have missed Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder Rodri, who ruptured knee ligaments in September, and have suffered injuries to defenders John Stones and Ruben Dias.

"In the summer the club thought about (signings) and I said: 'No, I don't want to make any signings," Guardiola told reporters ahead of Tuesday's league game at Brentford.

"I relied a lot on these guys and thought I can do it again. But after the injuries maybe we should have done it."

City have not made a significant signing in January since the arrival of Aymeric Laporte for 57 million pounds ($69.67 million) from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.

Guardiola could not confirm whether a deal has been done to bring in Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.

"The club didn't announce anything. I don't know," he said.

"Rodri is impossible but the other ones (injured players) I want back. If it would have happened I wouldn't be going to the transfer window this season. Absolutely not.

"We would not be in the position that we are but we struggle all season. It's not just Rodri, we have a lot of problems in the back four. That is the reason why the club is thinking we might do this transfer."

 

WALKER'S FUTURE

 

After City's 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City on Saturday, Guardiola revealed that Walker had asked to leave the club, but the manager had no update on the situation and the right back could be in the squad at Brentford.

"No news. I'm not going to add anything, no more news. I only have Brentford on my mind," Guardiola said.

"We will decide this afternoon after training."

The cup win was a third consecutive victory for City, a welcome return to form after Guardiola's side had previously won only once in 13 matches in all competitions.

"We won three games. Before it was impossible to win one," he said.

"Now we won three, and that helps us. But the reality is we won against a team in the last game for the difference of the Premier League and League Two (fourth-tier), the badges of both teams, and many reasons we should win.

"We have to wait to see if we are who we are. The mood is better. Tomorrow we have an enormously difficult game."

Brentford, who lost 1-0 at home to Championship (second-tier) bottom side Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, are 11th in the standings, seven points off City.